[03/17/11 - 09:25 AM]History(R) Celebrates Easter With Exclusive Special "Secret Access: The Vatican" Premiering Wednesday, March 30, 9-11 PM ET/PTThe two-hour special "uncovers the surprising connections between the United States and the Vatican."

HISTORY OBTAINED
UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS
TO THE VATICAN AND ITS ARCHIVES
INCLUDING FOOTAGE AND INFORMATION
NEVER BEFORE SEEN ON AMERICAN TELEVISION*

New York, March 16, 2011 - Although millions have toured the Vatican, few have been allowed to see some of its most spectacular treasures that are within. HISTORY takes viewers on an unforgettable journey of discovery during the weeks leading up to Easter with the premiere of SECRET ACCESS: THE VATICAN, on Wednesday, March 30, 9-11pm ET/PT.

In making this special two-hour presentation, HISTORY worked in conjunction with VATICAN TV and was granted UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS to the Vatican and its archives.

SECRET ACCESS: THE VATICAN is a two-hour event special with unprecedented access to this city-state. For the first time on American television, HISTORY uncovers the surprising connections between the United States and the Vatican, from America in its infancy to the Cold War and beyond. This is also the first time that American audiences get an intimate and revealing look on how Pope Benedict XVI lives, works and functions in his papal role. With specially granted permission, History viewers experience a world rarely seen as we reveal SECRET ACCESS: THE VATICAN.

SECRET ACCESS: THE VATICAN provides viewers a revelatory look inside the walls of the Vatican - at the architecture, the artwork, the historic documents that are centuries old, irreplaceable and awe-inspiring. There has long been a shroud of secrecy and an aura of mystery involving the Vatican. But HISTORY was granted an unprecedented insider's view that Dan Brown would have envied, and tells the stories behind the remarkable objects that will be seen on television for the first time.

SECRET ACCESS: THE VATICAN was produced by Stephen David Entertainment for HISTORY. Executive Producer for HISTORY is Paul Cabana. Stephen David is Executive Producer for Stephen David Entertainment.

* The special will look at moments, some never before seen ever, some very rare, and some never before seen in the United States. For a full list please see attached addendum.

About HISTORY(R)

HISTORY(R) and HISTORY HD(R) are the leading destinations for revealing, award-winning original non-fiction series and event specials that connect history with viewers in an informative, immersive and entertaining manner across multiple platforms. Programming covers a diverse variety of historical genres ranging from military history to contemporary history, technology to natural history, as well as science, archaeology and pop culture. Among the network's program offerings are hit series such as American Pickers, Ax Men, Brad Meltzer's Decoded, Ice Road Truckers, Top Gear, Pawn Stars and Top Shot, as well as acclaimed specials including America the Story of Us, WWII in HD, 102 Minutes That Changed America, The President's Book of Secrets and Life After People. HISTORY has earned four Peabody Awards, seven Primetime Emmy(R) Awards, 12 News & Documentary Emmy(R) Awards and received the prestigious Governor's Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the network's Save Our History(R) campaign dedicated to historic preservation and history education. Take a Veteran to School Day is the network's signature initiative connecting America's schools and communities with veterans from all wars. The HISTORY website, located at www.history.com, is the leading online resource for all things history, featuring over 20,000 videos, images, audio clips, articles and interactive features that allow visitors to dig deeper into a broad range of thousands of historical topics.